Can I use my DISABILITY PARKING CARD in other countries?

Access & Inclusion > Parking

Updated:Access & Inclusion - Reciprocal Recognition of Parking Badges

In 1978, the ECMT Council of Ministers agreed that all Member Countries of the ECMT would grant the same parking concessions to people with disabilities as they offered to their own nationals. These concessions usually allowed special parking in areas reserved for people with disabilities, or allowed longer parking periods or exemptions from charges.

This Resolution was updated and extended in scope in 1997. In addition to all the Member countries of ECMT this Resolution now applies also to the ECMT Associated Countries (Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, United States).

This means that disabled motorists from all ECMT Member and Associate countries are now entitled to the same parking concessions as nationals in all ECMT Countries. The only condition is the display of a badge showing the international wheelchair symbol.

In 1998 the EU adopted a Resolution along the same lines for the Member countries of the EU. The badges to be displayed are to be standardized to facilitate recognition and to avoid difficulties at local level.

EU Blue Parking Badge (PDF 11Kb)

To facilitate the implementation of these decisions the following information is provided to help people visiting the various countries understand the local rules. At present different badges are used and where this information is available these badges are shown.

This page describes what the concessions are, where disabled people can park and where they can't.

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.Parking on roads ·

Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.

·You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.

·In most areas you may park free of charge on roads where payment is required, for example at parking meters.

Check locally

·Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.

Parking in car parks Some car parks allow vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card to be parked free of charge but only in specific parking bays marked for disabled people.

Check with car park notices or ask an attendant.

Parking badge: EU model (PDF 21 Kb)

BULGARIA

Contact point for further information

Mr Jordan STOYANOV

State expert in Transport Policy Directorate

Tel. +359-2 940 9488

Fax +359-2 987 8808

Mr Lazar KRASTEV

Chief expert in Transport

Policy Directorate

Tel. +359-2 940 9490

Fax +359-2 987 8808

CANADA

Parking badge policies vary in Canada from one jurisdiction to another, but there are some common elements:Parking spaces

·All Canadian jurisdictions provide designated parking spaces for motorists with disabilities according to the expressed needs of persons with disabilities living in the region.

·The parking spaces are generally marked with the international wheelchair logo.

·Cities and municipalities are usually responsible for enacting and enforcing bylaws pertaining to the use of designated parking spaces for persons with disabilities. It is recommended that travellers contact local authorities to have more details on the conditions related to the use of such designated parking spaces.

Issuing parking badges

·Canadian jurisdictions issue parking badges to both drivers and passengers who have disabilities that limit their ability to walk independently over short distances. The badge is awarded to an individual rather than to a specific vehicle.

·There are generally two types of parking badges:

short-term badges valid for up to one year depending on the duration of the temporary disability for the person;

long-term badges valid for periods ranging from one year to life (varies among jurisdictions).

Except for lifelong badges, long-term badges must be renewed regularly.

·Misuse of the badge can result in its withdrawal. Privileges associated with the parking badgesPersons with disabilities can park their vehicles in spaces designated for their use on condition that:

·A valid parking badge is suspended from the rearview mirror or displayed visibly on the dashboard of the vehicle;

·the person with a disability has to leave or board the vehicle while it is parked in the designated parking space. Contrary to most European countries:

·In Canada, persons with disabilities holding a valid parking badge cannot normally park their vehicles in pedestrian zones or zones where parking is prohibited (with some exceptions) or restricted to loading and unloading.

·In most cities and municipalities, badge holders are usually not exempted from paying parking metre fees where such charges apply. It is recommended that travellers verify with individual communities as to whether special parking privileges such as fee exemption are available.

·Canadian jurisdictions do not use any time limitation devices, parking discs or other devices in addition to the parking badge itself.

For more specific information on the policies of each of the Canadian jurisdictions, travellers are invited to contact the parking badge issuing office of the destination contemplated.

For details see the full report [Last revised 19-Feb-04] (PDF 128 Kb)

Transport Canada's commitment

Transport Canada, in co-operation with the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), is committed to co-ordinating the implementation of the ECMT Resolution no. 97/4 respecting the reciprocal recognition of parking badges between ECMT Member countries (through the ECMT Secretariat) and all the Canadian jurisdictions having the responsibility over these matters.

People in wheelchairs are equipped with a card issued by the Czech Association for the Environment of Disabled People.

The card consists of 4 pages:

·The Title Page refers to the organisation issuing the card, the card number, name and surname, the citizen's card-index number, address, holder's signature and seal of the issuing organisation.

·The Second Page refers to the benefits for the card holder.

·The Third Page contains instructions for the card holder.

·The Fourth Page indicates the validity of the card. At present the card does not have a pictogram of a person in a wheelchair, but later this year a pictogram - blue on a white background - will figure on the title page.

This pictogram is already in use elsewhere in the Czech Republic (in the metro, public areas, health institutes and transport infrastructure).

It is regulated by Decree No 30/2001 to the Act No 361/2000 Coll.

Parking regulations for foreign visitors

Foreign citizens using wheelchairs and/or with mobility handicaps, have the same rights as Czech citizens in respect of parking, provided they are equipped with the document issued by the authorized organisation.

This is regulated by Decree No 99/89 Coll., on traffic rules for road communications (the Traffic Rules), issued by the Ministry of the Interior.

In brief, people with mobility handicaps may park their vehicle wherever parking is generally permitted.

As regards the parking fee, the owner of the parking place determines the amount.

Contact

Mr.Pavel PTÁCNIK

Government Committee for Disabled Citizens

Nábrezi Edvarda Benese

4CZ-110 00 Prague 1

Tel. +420-2 2400 2241 / 2400 2111

DENMARK

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with the wheelchair symbol.

Parking discs are required when drivers park in areas that are time limited.

Foreign vehicles may display discs which are issued and accepted in the home country.

Parking on roads

Vehicles displaying a disabled person parking card:

·may park for 15 minutes on roads where waiting or parking is prohibited. Parking discs are required;

·may park for up to an hour where parking is limited to 15-30 minutes. Parking discs are required;

·may park for an unlimited time where parking is limited to up 3 hours;

·may, in general on roads with parking meters only, park if the driver pay according to how long the vehicle is parked. Though in Copenhagen, vehicles displaying a disabled person parking card may park free of charge in public parking zones. Check locally.

·may be allowed to drive and park in pedestrian zones. Check locally.

Parking in car parks

In car parks where payment is required, the driver must generally pay according to how long the vehicle is parked. Though in Copenhagen, vehicles displaying a disabled person parking card may park free of charge in public parking zones. Check locally.

Parking badge: EU model

Contact

The Ministry of Justice

Road Traffic Division

Slotholmsgade 10DK-1216 Copenhagen K

Tel. +45 3392 3340

E-mail: jm@jm.dk

Attention Road Traffic Division

ESTONIA

Parking badge: National model (PDF 12Kb)

Contact

Mr Hellat RUMVOLT

Councillor to the Road Transport

Departmentof the Ministry of Transport and Communications

9 Viriu Street

Talinin

Tel. +372 6 313 818

E-mail: Hellat.rumvolt@tsm.ee

FINLAND

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.

Do not park there if the space is marked with a name of vehicle registration number.Parking on roads

·You may park on roads where waiting is prohibited.

·You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.

·You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.

·You may be allowed to drive and park in pedestrian zones. Check locally.

Parking in car parks

Vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card may be parked free of charge and beyond time limits.

Parking badge: EU model

Contact

Ms. Anne JÄRVINEN

Senior Officer

Ministry of Interior

Säästöpankinranta

2 AFIN-00530 Helsinki

Tel. +358-9 160 8281

E-mail: Anne.Jarvinen@poliisi.fi

FRANCE

Although there is a national system of parking concessions, local variations can apply. Check locally.

In Paris, vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card may be parked on roads free of charge.

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.

Parking on roads

·Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.

·You may park beyond the time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time. Check locally to establish what the concession is.

·You must pay to park on roads where payment is required (except in Paris).

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a road sign (wheelchair symbol).

Do not, however, park on spaces marked with a parking card number reserving them for certain disabled people.Parking on roads

·You may park for up to 3 hours on roads where parking is prohibited - also in no-parking zones.

·You may exceed the allowed parking period on roads where parking is restricted by time - also in restricted-parking zones.

·You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.

·You may park up to 3 hours in residents' parking areas.

·You may park outside the marked spaces in traffic-calmed areas without obstructing the traffic.

·Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless it is expressly permitted by local concessions. Check locally.

For even if it is permitted, you are only allowed to enter and park there during specific vehicle access times.

·These concessions generally apply only when no other parking is available within a reasonable distance. The above regulations apply unless there is another parking facility available at a reasonable distance. The maximum parking period is 24 hours.

Parking in private car parks

Ask the car-park attendant on the spot whether disabled people are granted parking privileges.

Parking badge: EU model

Contact

Federal Ministry of Transport, Building & Housing

Division A13

Invalidenstrasse

44D-10115 Berlin

E-mail: Ref-A13@bmvbw.bund.de

GREECE

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.

Do not park there if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number.

There are no concessions for street parking or parking in car parks

You may park only where parking is permitted, and you must pay parking charges and observe time limits.

Parking badge: EU model

HUNGARY

Parking badge: National model (PDF 120 Kb)

Contact

Mr Sandor RADAI

Hungarian Union of Associations of People with Mobility Handicaps

Tel. +36-1 361 0311

E-mail: sandor.radai@matavnet.hu

ICELAND

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.

Do not park there if the space is marked with a person's name or vehicle registration number.

In some car parks, payment concessions are given to vehicles displaying the disabled person's parking card.

Drivers should check with the car park notices or ask an attendant for details.

Parking badge: EU model (PDF 126 Kb)

Issuing Parking Permits

The Road Traffic Regulations, 1997, governs the issue of disabled persons' parking permits in Ireland. The permits are issued by Local Authorities, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Disabled Drivers Association.

Permits are granted to all eligible disabled persons, irrespective of whether they are drivers or not, and they have National application.

Any person who is suffering from a disability that prevents that person from walking or causes undue hardship in walking is eligible for a permit.

The permit complies fully with EU recommendation (98/376/EC) which allows for its recognition in other EU member States.

The Irish legislation in this regard extends to all disabled persons' parking permits issued by any State provided the permit contains the recognized pictorial symbol of a person sitting in a wheelchair.

Contact this department in relation to the reciprocal recognition of disabled persons' parking permits

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.

Do not park there if the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number.

You may not use parking places reserved for other vehicles or vulnerable users.Parking on roads

·Do not park on roads where waiting is prohibited.

·You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time, unless a time limit is specified for vehicles displaying the disabled person's parking card.

·You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.

·Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones.

·You may park in residential areas where parking places restricted in time has been introduced.

Parking in car parks

In many car parks vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card are allowed to be parked free of charge and without time limit, but only in bays reserved for disabled people. Check with car park notices or ask an attendant.

Parking badge: EU model (PDF 23 Kb)

Contact for further information

As for where/who to contact for further information regarding the use of these parking badges in Norway, the local Authorities in which the parking badge has been issued, are responsible for giving information to the public.However, the following general e-mail address for the Public Roads Administration may be used:

firmapost@vegvesen.no

POLAND

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.

A driver of a vehicle with parking card does not pay for ferry passage.

Parking on roads A person driving a vehicle with a disabled persons parking card is allowed (provided that he/she drives with caution) to drive or park in the area which has following regulatory signs:

·No vehicles

·No bus

·No motorcycles

·No mopeds

·No stopping

·No parking during even days

·No parking during odd days

·Parking is restricted by time Parking in car parksPublic car parks offer no concessions to vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card.

Parking badge: EU model (PDF 106 Kb)

Contact for further information

Ms Malgorzata CHOINSKA

Chief Specialist

Ministry of Infrastructureul.

Chalubinskiego

4/6PL-00-928 WARSAW

Tel. +48-22 630 1324

Fax +48-22 630 1204

E-mail: mchoinska@mi.gov.pl

PORTUGAL

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.

Do not park there if the space is marked with a name or vehicle registration number.Parking on roads

·Apart from reserved spaces there are no concessions for street parking.

·Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited.

·You must pay to park on roads where payment is required and must not exceed the paid-for time.

·You must not exceed time limits on roads where time restrictions apply.

On roads and in car parks, parking places reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.In the United Kingdom the parking card is used in conjunction with a parking disc. However, people from other countries who display the disabled person's card without a parking disc will be given the same concessions.

Parking on roads

·You may park for up to 3 hours on roads where waiting is prohibited unless the signs say 'No loading or Unloading'.

·You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads with parking meters or pay-and-display parking.

·You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.

·Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless there is a sign showing that vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card are exempt.

·The Scheme does not operate fully in Central London. Check locally in Central London about concessions.

Parking in car parks

Some car parks allow vehicles displaying a disabled person's parking card to be parked free of charge. Check with car park notices or ask and attendant.